If you’ve ever come across a tortoise hatchling and wondered whether she’s a desert tortoise or a sulcata, you’re in the right place.
In this in-depth desert tortoise vs. sulcata comparison, we’ll break down the differences. By the end, you’ll not only be able to identify one from the other. You’ll also appreciate what makes each species so special!
Desert Tortoise vs. Sulcata: At a Glance
In a rush? Here’s an overview of the main differences between desert tortoises and sulcatas:
| Desert Tortoise | Sulcata Tortoise | |
| Common Name | Mojave desert tortoise | African spurred tortoise |
| Scientific Name | Gopherus agassizii | Centrochelys sulcata |
| Native Habitat | Central and North America (Sandy plains and rocky hills) | Africa (Sahara Desert and Sahel) |
| Shell Length | 8–15 inches | 18 inches |
| Weight | 8–15 pounds | 70–100 pounds |
| Nuchal Scute | Present and wide | Not present |
| Arm Flakes | Mostly flat | Pointy |
| Lifespan | 50–80 years | 80+ years |
| Winter Hibernation | Yes | No |
Desert Tortoise vs. African Sulcata Tortoise: Head-to-Head Comparison
Alright, let’s start comparing the desert tortoise and the sulcata, focusing on the unique characteristics and what sets them apart.
1. Names That Tell a Story
The desert tortoise goes by several monikers, including Agassiz’s Desert Tortoise and Mojave Desert Tortoise.
Its scientific name, Gopherus agassizii, tells us a bit about its nature and history.
For one, the genus part of the name refers to the animal’s burrowing habits. After all, these guys are expert diggers, just like gophers. The species name, however, honors the zoologist Jean Louis Rodolphe Agassiz.
The sulcata tort? You could call it the African Spurred Tortoise, Grooved Tortoise, or Sahel Tortoise.
The scientific name is Centrochelys sulcata, and it gives us a clue about its appearance. “Sulcata” comes from the Latin word: “sulcatus.”
The term means furrowed or grooved. And guess what? The patterns on the sulcata’s shell are grooved.
2. Worlds Apart
These two tortoise species come from very different parts of the world.
The desert tortoise is a native to Central and North America and calls the Mojave Desert home. You’ll find the species in various natural environments, from desert plains to foothills. These torts are well-adapted to arid lands with sparse vegetation, living in washes and canyons.
In contrast, the African sulcata tortoise hails from the other side of the globe. These amazing tortoises are native to the arid and semi-arid regions of sub-Saharan Africa.
That said, their ability to adapt to various living conditions has made them increasingly popular in the pet trade.
3. Shell Color and Pattern
The desert tortoise usually sports a high-domed shell that’s brown or black on top. If you flip one of those cuties over (gently, of course!), you’ll notice that her underside is lighter, usually yellow or light brown.
Side Note: The shell has a pattern of lines that separate it into sections called scutes.
The African sulcata tortoise, on the other hand, has an oval-shaped shell that’s slightly flattened on top. Its shell color ranges from brown to yellow, with annular rings on the scutes. The bottom of the shell has an old ivory color that adds to the overall charm.
A sulcata’s shell is also serrated from the front and back of the shell, giving it a distinctive look. As for the skin, it’s mostly scaly and yellowish-brown.
4. Overall Shape
Desert tortoises have a unique shape that’s well-suited to their environment. For instance, they have flattened front legs perfect for digging in the dirt, while the hind legs are a bit elephant-like. Their shell, however, is high-domed.
Meanwhile, the African sulcata tortoise’s head is proportional to its body, with a snub snout and a small hook on the upper jaw.
6. Nuchal Scute
Here’s a neat way to tell these tortoise species apart: Look at the cervical scute right above the neck.
Desert tortoises have a relatively wide cervical scute in this spot. But if you’re looking at a sulcata tortoise, you won’t find this middle scute at all!
7. Arm Flakes
Another easy way to distinguish between these two awesome animals is by checking out their arms.
Desert tortoises usually have flat scales on their arms that don’t stick out. In contrast, sulcata tortoises sport large, pointy scales.
8. Size and Weight
We wouldn’t say either species is particularly small.
However, the desert tortoise is the smaller of the two, with adult tortoises typically weighing 8–15 pounds. Their shell height ranges from 4–6 inches, with a length of 8–15 inches.
Fun Fact: The largest desert tortoise on record is called Monster, a guy from the Las Vegas Valley who reached an impressive 17 inches in length and weighed 26 pounds!
In contrast, the African sulcata tortoise is a true giant among tortoises. It’s actually the third-largest tortoise species in the world, surpassed only by the Galapagos and Aldabra giant tortoises.
Adult sulcatas typically weigh 70–100 pounds, with some males going all the way up to 200 pounds!
Their average shell length is about 18 inches. Interestingly, sulcatas are a fast-growing species of tortoise. Your tiny hatchling could measure 6–10 inches by the time she’s just two years old.
9. Social vs. Solo
Desert tortoises are generally solitary creatures, preferring to live alone except during breeding season. However, they occasionally show some social behavior, particularly in winter when a dozen or more tortoises might share a single tunnel.
The larger tortoises (yes, the sulcatas) are solitary animals as well, and they can be aggressive towards other torts.
Side Note: Can you guess what a tortoise group is called? It’s a creep!
10. Burrowing Tendencies
Both species are good diggers.
Desert tortoises spend the majority of their lives in burrows. With strong front legs and sharp nails, these torts are well-equipped for digging through dry, hard ground.
Sulcata tortoises’ burrows can be truly massive, reaching depths of up to 49 feet and lengths of 98 feet.
These tunnel systems serve more than one purpose: protection from extreme temperatures and humidity maintenance.
Note that sulcatas are crepuscular, meaning they’re most active at dawn and dusk. So, you might have guessed that they use their burrows during the hottest parts of the day, and your guess would be correct.
11. Hibernation and Aestivation
To survive the harsh desert winters, Desert tortoises hibernate for several months each year.
Sulcatas? They don’t hibernate at all. Instead, they practice aestivation during the hottest parts of the day.
12. Temperature and Humidity
Desert tortoises, when kept in captivity, require a daytime temperature of 70–90°F. At night, the temperature should hover around 70°F.
Sulcata tortoises can tolerate higher temperatures of 100°F, as long as they have access to a shady spot for cooling off. However, if nighttime temperatures drop below 60°F, they’ll need additional heating.
Humidity maintenance is also an essential part of the sulcata care routine.
13. Diet
Desert tortoises and sulcatas are both strict herbivores. Sulcatas need a diet with high fiber and low protein, though.
14. Lifespan
Desert tortoises can live 50–80 years in captivity. That being said, the lifespan of wild desert tortoises is typically shorter (around 35 years).
Captive tortoises of the sulcata species can live for 80 years or more, but they only reach sexual maturity at 15 years.
15. Natural Predators and Defense Mechanisms
Desert tortoises face numerous predators in their natural habitat, including skunks, gila monsters, coyotes, foxes, and even ravens. Obviously, baby tortoises and hatchlings are particularly vulnerable.
The adults can defend themselves by retreating into their shells or burrows. But that’s not all. Believe it or not, they also release urine when picked up by an animal predator. This can lead to dangerous dehydration, though.
Sulcata tortoises, due to their body size, have fewer natural predators than the desert torts. Their main threats come from activities such as hunting and habitat destruction.
Like their desert counterparts, sulcata tortoises have defense mechanisms. They pee (or throw up) to ward off predators.
16. Gestation Period
Desert tortoises have a gestation period of 3–4 months. A female can lay up to 14 eggs, each about the size of a ping-pong ball.
African sulcata tortoises have a gestation period of about 60 days. However, they lay a larger litter of 15–30 eggs.
17. Suitability as Pet Tortoises
Keeping a desert tortoise as a pet can be challenging and may require permits in some areas. There are also significant concerns about pet desert tortoises being released into the wild, as they may carry diseases harmful to wild populations and lack the necessary survival skills.
Sulcata tortoises, while generally docile and pleasant as pets, come with their own set of challenges. Their long lifespan demands serious, lifelong commitment from owners and lots of effort to build an acceptable enclosure.
Final Thoughts
Desert tortoises have patterned shells and wide nuchal scutes. Meanwhile, the sulcata’s most distinctive feature is its huge size.
Still, both torts are as cute as can be, especially the little hatchlings!
